MLA Formatting Guide: Everything Kenyan Students Need to Know
If you’re a Kenyan student studying literature, languages, arts, philosophy, or cultural studies, chances are your department requires you to use MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting. Unlike APA, which dominates the social sciences, MLA is the preferred style for humanities disciplines across Kenyan universities including the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, and Strathmore University.
Understanding MLA formatting can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already stressed about writing your thesis proposal. But mastering it is essential—proper formatting can be the difference between a proposal that impresses your supervisor and one that gets returned with corrections.
The good news? MLA 9th Edition has simplified the process with a template-based approach. Once you understand the 9 core elements that apply to ANY source type, citations become straightforward.
Need professional help with formatting or writing your thesis proposal? Proposal Writers Kenya offers expert academic writing services to help you submit a perfectly formatted proposal that meets your university’s requirements.
What's New in MLA 9th Edition?
The 9th edition (published in 2021) builds on the 8th edition’s foundation but offers clearer guidance:
Core Elements Template: Every citation follows 9 core elements regardless of source type (book, journal, website)
Inclusive Language: New guidance on using gender-neutral and culturally sensitive language
Grammar Guidance: Expanded advice on punctuation, capitalization, and spelling
Improved Examples: Appendix with hundreds of real-world citation examples
MLA Paper Formatting Basics
Page Setup
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Font: 12-point Times New Roman (or other readable font like Arial or Calibri)
Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the entire document—including the Works Cited page
Indentation: Half-inch indent for the first line of each paragraph
Header & Page Numbers
Place your last name and page number in the top-right corner
Format: 0.5 inch from the top, aligned right
Example: Kiprop 1
First Page Setup (No Separate Title Page)
Unlike APA, MLA does not require a separate title page unless your university specifically requests one.
Your first page should include:
Your full name
Your instructor’s name
Course name and number
Date (Day Month Year format: 15 March 2024)
Centered title (not bolded or italicized)
Headings & Subheadings
Level 1: Centered, bold, title case
Level 2: Left-aligned, bold, title case
Level 3: Left-aligned, bold, italicized, title case
In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Citations)
The Core Rule
MLA uses the Author-Page method:
Place the author’s last name and page number in parentheses: (Author Page#)
Position the citation close to the referenced material
Citation Scenarios
| Scenario | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One author | (Author’s Last Name Page#) | (Thiong’o 45) |
| Two authors | (Author1 and Author2 Page#) | (Njoroge and Kamau 78) |
| Three+ authors | (First Author et al. Page#) | (Wanjiru et al. 112) |
| No author | (“Shortened Title” Page#) | (“Impact of Climate Change” 23) |
| Corporate author | (Organization Name Page#) | (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 67) |
Narrative vs. Parenthetical Citations
Narrative: Author’s name in the sentence, page in parentheses: Ngugi wa Thiong’o argues that language is a cultural tool (45).
Parenthetical: Entire citation at the end: Language is a cultural tool (Thiong’o 45).
Works Cited Page: The Complete Guide
Formatting the Works Cited Page
Start on a new page at the end of your document
Title: Works Cited (centered, not bolded or italicized)
Hanging indent: First line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inch
Alphabetical order: By author’s last name
Double-space all entries
The 9 Core Elements
Every MLA citation follows this template:
Author. (Last Name, First Name.)
“Title of Source.” (Quotation marks for articles/chapters)
Title of Container, (Italicized – journal name, book, website)
Contributors, (Edited by, Translated by)
Version, (Edition number)
Number, (Volume and issue numbers)
Publisher,
Publication Date,
Location. (Page numbers, DOI, or URL)
Works Cited Examples by Source Type
Books
| Source Type | Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| One author | Ngugi, James. The River Between. Heinemann, 1965. |
| Two authors | Kinyua, John, and Grace Mwangi. Modern Kenyan Literature. East African Publishers, 2019. |
| Three+ authors | Ochieng, Peter, et al. Educational Reforms in Kenya. Longhorn, 2020. |
| Chapter in edited book | Njoroge, Kariuki. “Language and Identity in Kenyan Literature.” African Writing Today, edited by James Ogola, Oxford UP, 2018, pp. 89-102. |
Journal Articles
| Source Type | Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| Print journal | Oduor, Paul. “Kenyan Oral Literature and Modernity.” Journal of African Cultural Studies, vol. 25, no. 2, 2018, pp. 105-118. |
| Online journal (DOI) | Gathua, Anne. “Women in Politics in Kenya.” African Political Review, vol. 8, no. 3, 2020, pp. 34-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2020.123456. |
Websites
| Source Type | Works Cited Entry |
|---|---|
| Article with author | Mwangi, Kamau. “Understanding Kenyan Education Policy.” Education Kenya, Kenya Ministry of Education, 15 Mar. 2023, www.education.go.ke/policy. |
| Article no author | “New Curriculum Implementation Guide.” Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, 10 Jan. 2022, www.kicd.ac.ke/curriculum-guide. |
Step 4: Crafting Your Chapter Three (Research Methodology)
This chapter explains exactly how you will conduct your research. Be detailed—your supervisor needs to know your plan is feasible.
Research Approach and Design
Will you use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods? Justify your choice. Then specify your research design (e.g., descriptive survey, correlational design, case study).
Target Population and Sample
Define your target population clearly. Then explain your sample size and sampling technique. If using probability sampling, explain how you calculated sample size (Yamane formula is common). If using non-probability sampling, justify why.
Research Instruments
Describe how you will collect data. Will you use questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists? Include examples of how you will measure each variable.
Validity and Reliability
Explain how you will ensure your instruments are valid (measure what they’re supposed to measure) and reliable (produce consistent results). Mention pilot testing.
Data Collection Procedures
Provide a step-by-step account of how data will be collected. Include how you will obtain consent and handle logistics.
Data Analysis
Specify how you will analyze data. For quantitative studies, name the statistical tests (e.g., descriptive statistics, correlation, regression). For qualitative studies, describe your thematic analysis approach.
Ethical Considerations
Address informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, and the NACOSTI research permit requirements in Kenya.
MLA vs. APA vs. Harvard: When to Use Which
| Style | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| MLA | Humanities (Literature, Arts, Languages) | Author + Page number |
| APA | Social Sciences (Psychology, Education) | Author + Date |
| Harvard | Business, Economics, Law | Author + Date |
Tip for Kenyan students: Always check your university’s specific guidelines. Departments may have preferences even within the same institution.
MLA Checklist Before Submission
Font: 12-point Times New Roman (or other readable font)
Double-spaced throughout
1-inch margins on all sides
Header: Last name + page number in top-right corner
Title centered on first page (no separate title page)
In-text citations match Works Cited entries
Works Cited page: Alphabetical order, hanging indent
Works Cited page: Double-spaced
No URLs broken or incomplete
Conclusion
MLA formatting doesn’t have to be a source of stress for Kenyan students. By following the 9 core elements template, you can create accurate citations for any source type—whether it’s a book, journal article, website, or government document. Remember to double-space everything, use hanging indents on your Works Cited page, and always check your university’s specific requirements.
The key to mastering MLA is practice and consistency. Keep this guide handy as you work on your thesis proposal, and refer to the MLA Handbook (9th Edition) or the official MLA Style Center for more complex citations.
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